| Scope and method of study. This research provides an in-depth analysis of current research on women who work in the field of corrections. It explores the impacts of macro-level phenomena, such as gender roles and occupational segregation, on the day-to-day micro-level interactions of female wardens and superintendents. Twenty-nine wardens were interviewed from 13 states in person, by telephone or via email.; Findings and conclusions. This project discusses the sociological foundations of gender and gender socialization with particular focus on the social construction of masculinity and femininity in the workplace. It also examines the relationship between gender and occupation. This is important because gender socialization affects occupational choice. Occupational choice is, in turn, constrained by gendered occupations, those defined as male dominated or female dominated. Male and female dominated occupations are maintained and reinforced by organizational culture. This research examines how women working in male dominated fields utilize impression management strategies to negotiate their daily routines. The research concludes that gender socialization can be liberating or constraining, occupational segregation still exists and marginalized individuals never gain full acceptance into the dominant organizational cultures. For women who choose to work in non-traditional occupations, the struggle continues. |
